Vanuatu Travel Guide | Letsa Travel

The story

Islands on the Ring of Fire

Vanuatu has 83 islands. Wikivoyage describes Mount Yasur on Tanna as the world's most accessible active volcano, and says Ambrym also has active volcanoes and lava lakes.

The country sits on the Ring of Fire, so earthquakes are common, and a December 2024 quake caused major damage in Port Vila.

83islands in the archipelago

Nov to Aprcyclone season

From our Letsa Atlas Short · Watch on YouTube

Practical guide

Plan your Vanuatu trip

Check before you go: volcano access depends on the current alert level and local rules, and cyclones can disrupt travel. Check official updates and your insurance before going.

Entry

A long list of countries is exempt from visas, including all Commonwealth and EU members.
All visitors need a passport valid for six months, an onward ticket and confirmed accommodation.
The initial stay is up to 30 days, extendable monthly to four months.

Getting there

Most people arrive at Port Vila, with flights from Brisbane, Sydney, Nadi, Honiara and Nouméa.
Air Vanuatu declared bankruptcy in 2024 and has resumed only limited service, so check the schedule.

Getting around

Trunk domestic routes connect Port Vila, Luganville and Tanna, and reservations must be made by phone, email or in person.
A day trip to Tanna to see Mount Yasur by charter costs around 80,000 VT, according to Wikivoyage.
Ferries run roughly weekly and are slow, taking about 24 hours for Port Vila to Santo or Tanna.

Do

Scuba diving is a major draw, especially the SS President Coolidge wreck at a depth of 21 m.
Photographing a volcano at night needs a tripod.

Safety

Vanuatu is generally safe, though crime is said to be rising in Port Vila at night.
Cyclone season runs from November to April, and earthquakes are common.
Be careful with aquatic hazards such as stonefish.

Health

Wikivoyage recommends hepatitis A and B and typhoid vaccination.
Malaria occurs in some areas but not Port Vila, and dengue is present in the wet season.
Tap water in Port Vila is potable, but avoid it elsewhere.

Details come from Wikivoyage, which lists some 2025 figures that may change. We checked on November 1, 2026. Entry rules, fees and prices change, so confirm them with official sources before you reserve.